Integrated physiological, metabolomic, and transcriptomic responses of maize (Zea mays) and soybean (Glycine max) to nanoplastic-induced stress.

The widespread use and degradation of agricultural plastics lead to the accumulation of nanoplastics (NPs) and soil contamination, posing growing risks to agroecosystems. This study investigated the differential physiological and molecular responses of maize (Zea mays) and soybean (Glycine max) to polyethylene nanoparticles (PE-NPs) and polypropylene nanoparticles (PP-NPs), each within the size range of 20-50 nm, at concentrations of 50 and 500 mg/kg of soil. Over a 45-day exposure period, at 500 mg/kg concentration, both NPs types significantly suppressed plant height and fresh biomass in both maize and soybean, with PP-NPs demonstrating greater toxicity in soybean than in maize.